University of Edinburgh Business School

MSc in Banking and Risk

The aim of our MSc in Banking and Risk is to give you the knowledge, understanding and key skills that will enable you to be effective risk analysts and managers in financial institutions, especially banks, in any country in the world.

Programme overview

Our MSc in Banking and Risk differs from the majority of similar programmes because it meets the demands of specialist departments within financial firms. As a student, you will learn about the role of banking in the economy and the different risks that banks face and how to manage them. You will also gain practical skills in understanding financial statements, predicting the risks associated with a potential borrower and estimating predictive risks models using computer software. Overall, the programme treats banking as a multifaceted industry rather than an academic discipline.

Programme structure

In the first term (Sep-Dec) you will take four core courses, including Introduction to Banking and Statistics for Finance. During the second term (Jan-May), you will take two remaining core courses and will also have the opportunity to choose two option courses, enabling you to tailor your learning towards your chosen career path. The dissertation is written over the summer (Jun-Aug) and is overseen by an academic supervisor, with the possibility of researching a live issue faced by a real company.

Knowledge exchange

As a student on our MSc in Banking and Risk you will benefit from the knowledge and research carried out by members of the Credit Research Centre (CRC), which specialises in credit risk modelling, and the Edinburgh Strategic Resilience Initiative (ESRI), which researches ways for financial institutions to improve their capacity to resist adversity and shock. You will also benefit from the expertise of a range of guest speakers from leading organisations, such as the Chief Economist at Lloyds TSB and CEO of Standard Life.

Industry links

Our MSc is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Banking and all students automatically receive membership on enrollment, giving you access to exclusive events for professionals in the banking sector. Throughout the programme, we offer students opportunities to interact directly with banking practitioners by, for example, organising visits to UK financial institutions, hosting guest lecturers, and allowing students to work on dissertations proposed by financial organisations. In some cases, students are offered three-month paid internships to work on their dissertation projects in these institutions.

Learning outcomes

The aim of the MSc in Banking and Risk is to give students the knowledge, understanding and key skills that will enable them to be effective managers in financial institutions, especially banks, in any country in the world. Students who follow this programme will gain:

A detailed knowledge of the structure and role of banking in an economy.

An understanding of risk models that are available to assess the risk of making loans.

Comprehension of the exposure of a portfolio of loans.

Technical skills to predict the riskiness of a potential borrower.

Skills to value and manage a portfolio of specialised financial derivatives.

Techniques to manage a portfolio of assets.

Proficiency in computing the amount of capital a bank requires to function optimally.

Rankings

Entry requirements

Entrance to our MSc programmes is strongly competitive. You can increase your chances of a successful application by exceeding the minimum programme requirements. Academic requirements You will need a UK first-class or 2:1 honours degree from a good university in one of the subjects below, or an equivalent overseas qualification. Academic background

Candidates with a very good Honours degree in other areas of study or relevant business experience will be considered on an individual basis.

Supporting your application Relevant work experience is not required but may increase your chances of acceptance. Preference will be given to those with grades above the minimum requirements due to strong competition for places on this programme. Applications from current undergraduates Final year undergraduate students are welcome to apply, so long as your studies will be completed prior to the MSc programme commencement date.